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The Word is Love website has links to bands and as far afield as Finland, New Zealand, Hawaii and Brazil and over 50 Links to bands in the UK but one country, famous for it's own musical heritage, seems to be considerably quiet on the tribute band front… Ireland. Just a few miles across the Irish Sea in Liverpool, pubs on Mathew Street are dominated by Irish influence. I was in Liverpool for St Patrick's Day and I'm convinced there was just as much of a party going on there than in Temple Bar in Dublin!
So it was with relief that I heard that not only does Dublin have a Beatles Tribute Band, but also that they appear to be damn good! The Classic Beatles did actually play at Liverpool Beatleweek a few years ago, when they were known as the Quarrymen. Formed in 1991 by the band quickly built up a reputation as a first class tribute group, even being selected by Sir George Martin to perform at his 'A Night to Remember' at Dublin's National Concert Hall alongside a seventy-piece orchestra.
Their website www.classicbeatles.com is one of the best I have ever seen. Concise and beautifully laid out. It tells you everything you need to know about the band. There are some great MP3's and I was amazed by their vocal similarities and musical precision. They pride themselves on note-for-note perfection and it shows!
When touring Ireland the band are accompanied by a string quartet to add an authentic touch, but don't be fooled into thinking these guys play only the orchestrated numbers… they also know how to rock! Their extensive repertoire includes what TWIL would describe as Beatle Band standards; 'All My Loving', 'She Loves You', 'Hey Jude' with some more obscure fan favourites; 'I'm Down', 'Hey Bulldog', I'll Cry Instead', 'Mother Nature's Son' and 'A Day In The Life'.
This year they are celebrating their tenth anniversary together, although there won't be much time for partying with their usual hectic schedule. One of the highlights this summer will be the midnight concert at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on June 29th. Tickets are still available so if you're planning to be in Ireland that weekend, get along to their website and book your tickets! The Classic Beatles really are the Classic Tribute to the Greatest Band Ever!
The Classic Beatles are: Scott Maher (John), Fran King (Paul), Rob McKinney (George) and Paul 'Binzer' Brennan (Ringo).
Nina Douglas
TWIL Issue Eight August 2002